ROSE MARIE KUCEYESKI, 1949-2013

Owens teacher helped develop online courses

8/12/2013

Rose Marie Kuceyeski of Perrysburg, who taught business and information technology for nearly 30 years at Owens Community College, where she was nationally recognized for her involvement in higher education and working with traditional and nontraditional students, died Saturday at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg.

Mrs. Kuceyeski, 64, suffered from a rapidly spreading colon cancer, colleagues and friends said.

She was born Aug. 8, 1949, in Cleveland, to Cletus and Mary Ruth Moulin.

She grew up in northeast Ohio’s Alliance and was a 1967 graduate of Marlington High School there.

She received a bachelor of arts degree from what is now Malone University in Canton in 1971, a master’s in education from Bowling Green State University in 1980, and her doctorate in curriculum and instructional media from the University of Toledo in 1995.

She joined the Owens faculty in 1985 and retired from teaching in July, 2011, but returned as interim chairman of the information systems/​office administration department from October, 2011, to this last May.

Ann Theis, dean of the school of business, said Mrs. Kuceyeski returned to Owens after retiring because “We needed someone … and she was so good.”

Ms. Theis called Mrs. Kuceyeski “a wonderful ambassador for Owens” because she was heavily involved in accreditation councils and higher-education organizations.

“She was the consummate professional,” Ms. Theis said.

Ms. Theis said Mrs. Kuceyeski was attuned to the needs of nontraditional college students who often had to hold a job and raise a family while they studied.

She developed online courses that made it easier for such students to receive an education or get specialized training for their jobs.

In 2005 Owens awarded Mrs. Kuceyeski its first President’s Choice Outstanding Faculty Award for her dedication and service to higher education.

The following year she was named post secondary teacher of the year by the National Business Education Association.

She developed the virtual assistant certificate program for Owens students and was known for her expertise in word processing and in developing the college’s online business courses.

Mrs. Kuceyeski co-chaired the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accreditation and reaffirmation efforts.

The council offers accreditation services for business programs that focus on teaching and learning.

She served on numerous campus committees and volunteered for campus activities and events.

She served as an adjunct faculty member at BGSU while teaching at Owens.

Sandra Laas, a retired colleague who began her career at Owens with Mrs. Kuceyeski, said they saw monumental changes to the programs there with the evolution of computers and word processing, which was one of Mrs. Kuceyeski’s specialties.

“Rose Marie was always instrumental in taking the lead in making sure our students were at the cutting edge of everything that was going on,” said Ms. Laas, who retired from Owens in 2005 as a professor of office administration.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Kuceyeski played piano, made jewelry, and enjoyed exercising, said Ms. Laas, who was a frequent travel companion with her in the United States and abroad.

Shortly before Easter, Mrs. Kuceyeski and her husband made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Ms. Laas said.

Among her recognitions were distinguished Alumni in Business Education at BGSU. 

She was also named a Marlington High School Outstanding Alumni.

Among her organizational affiliations were the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; the National Business Education Association, for which she served as convention director and an officer; the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Ohio Business Teachers Association.

Surviving are her husband of 41 years, Philip; daughter, Stacia Kuceyeski; and sisters Donna Young and Cynthia Phillips.

Visitation at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns, is 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be said at Rosary Cathedral, where she was a member, at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Rosary Cathedral.

Contact Jim Sielicki at: jsielicki@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.